Earlier today, a mom messaged me on our diabetes community Facebook page, Diabetic South Africans, to say that she desperately needed strips for her Type…
Author: Sweet Life
Sweet Life is a diabetes community that informs, inspires and connects people with diabetes in South Africa. We are here to offer reliable advice on all you need to know about diabetes, support people with diabetes and share that just because you have diabetes, doesn’t mean you can’t live a happy, healthy life.
Jane Sandwood, one of our regular contributors, tackles the issue of diabetes diagnosis in the elderly. In a recent study of South Africans over the…
Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes Do you know the difference between the types of diabetes – Type 1 vs Type 2 diabetes? Type 1…
Take a look at this interesting study about diabetes and gum disease.
Looking for diabetes specialists? We get one question on our South Africans with Diabetes Facebook page every week: please can you recommend a diabetes specialist…
I received this message from the Blue Circle Voices team, who are part of the International Diabetes Federation. Please help them to raise awareness for…
Are you a runner? Do you have Type 1 diabetes? Charlene has a question about running with Type 1 diabetes – share your advice, tips…
It’s one of the questions we get asked at Sweet Life all the time. Do I have to change my lifestyle – and my diet…
Not sure what to make for dinner? Let us help! Check out our delicious free diabetes-friendly recipes to get ideas for dinner that are tasty,…
Diabetes on Instagram I’d like to introduce one of my favourite Instagram feeds, Tracy Sanders. Also known as @type1tracy. Tracy has Type 1 diabetes, but…
There are some questions that only diabetics know how to ask – and answer… We all know that!
From the South Africans with Diabetes community: “ I don’t understand the whole LCHF / LCHP ‘low carb high fat or high protein’ idea –…
I got this amazing email about being a Type 1 diabetic from one of our community members last week and had to share it. Would…
The International Diabetes Federation reports an average of three and a half million people in South Africa are living with diabetes. Three and a half…
Exercise for diabetics is one of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle. If you’re tired of the same old exercise routine, and the…
What’s the best piece of diabetic advice you can give? We asked our Panel of Experts (some of SA’s top diabetes specialists) for the best…
Type 2 diabetes on the radio For radio presenter and TV actor Kini Shandu, Type 2 diabetes gave him new meaning. Here’s what he has…
Ask the dietician: Cheryl Meyer From our community: “I get invited to lots of business meetings and workshops that are catered… Needless to say, none…
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious and life-threatening complication that affects people with diabetes and those who have undiagnosed diabetes. The good news? It’s treatable. So it’s really important to understand it and know the warning signs
Winter workouts with diabetes We’ve got a dose of winter workout motivation that will ensure the only layers you’ll be adding this chilly season are…
From our community blog: Hi there, I am new to this site. Last night I was at the casualty section of Wilgeheuwel Hospital in Joburg…
Sometimes the biggest challenge to eating a healthy diet is finding the right ingredients: here’s how Annora Mostert, the founder and group owner of Anja’s…
Ask the dietician: Genevieve Jardine From our community: “As the mom of a diabetic child, I’m constantly wondering what to make her that is delicious…
Let’s talk about low blood sugar: the symptoms of low blood sugar, what it feels like, and what to do if you or someone you love experiences low blood sugar. Many diabetics will tell you that going low is the worst!
“One of my children has diabetes, the other doesn’t. How do I make changes that the whole family can adopt so that my daughter doesn’t…
When do you exercise? Long office hours and travelling to work by bus or car can make it hard to find the time to exercise.…
Meet Shane Casserley: a Type 1 diabetic who is also juggling coeliac disease and ADD… while living his best life. When were you diagnosed with…
From Facebook (Diabetic South Africans): What’s the secret to a happy life with diabetes? To not make it an issue. Treat it and forget it.…
Vickie de Beer speaks to us about what happened when her son Lucca was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She started a journey that ended…
Diabetic-related liver disease “My husband is a diabetic, and I would like to know how long it takes before diabetes affects your liver? Should I…
Pregnancy diet tips from dietician Cheryl Meyer From the community: “Being both diabetic and pregnant makes it difficult to know what to eat – there…
Wondering how to stock your low carb pantry? We asked dietician Keri Strachan to give us some advice… Here’s what she said.
Motherhood is a great adventure and (morning sickness aside!) being pregnant is magical. Inside of you, a perfect little baby is growing…If you have diabetes, or get diabetes during pregnancy, you’ll naturally want to know what you can do to stay healthy.
“My dad is a poorly controlled Type 2 diabetic, and he doesn’t seem to care. I keep telling him how serious his condition is and…
Exercise and diabetes As a person with diabetes, you know that exercise is important – but what is really best when it comes to exercise…
Yoga is not only a fantastic form of strengthening exercise, it’s also great for calming the mind – something most of us with diabetes need…
When Roxanne and Derick de Villiers wanted to enroll their son Noah in pre-school, they didn’t think diabetes would be an issue. When it turned…
“I’m looking for some tips or advice on how to communicate better with my diabetic wife. She has Type 1 diabetes and when she goes…
Wondering what to serve as sundowner snacks for people with diabetes? We asked our dietician Genevieve Jardine for ideas.
Are you looking for a fun way to get fit? Here are a few exercise classes specifically for people with diabetes – we’ll add to…
Managing diabetes can seem like a full-time, neverending job. And that sometimes it seems like there are too many things to remember! Keeping your diabetes in check as you get older is not only possible, but important.
Just because you’re at work doesn’t mean you can’t unwind and relax. Charis Le Riche shows us how. Studies by the international research company Bloomberg…
“One of my best friends is a Type 1 diabetic and she often skips taking her insulin to keep her weight down… I know this…
A fit pregnancy – with diabetes Staying active during pregnancy is the best thing for you – and your baby, Cindy Tilney tells us. Especially…
Do you practice yoga? Do you know about its health benefits? Let’s take a look at how yoga may help reduce heart disease risk.
Bridget McNulty finds out what reflexology is all about, and if there’s any chance it can help those with diabetes. Reflexology and diabetes Before I…
Lessons learnt from diabetes and pregnancy Sweet Life editor and Type 1 diabetic Bridget McNulty shares her diabetes and pregnancy story – and what she…
A diabetic pregnancy “I’m sure all husbands worry about their pregnant wives, but it’s extra worrying because my wife is diabetic and has to be…
What should a basic diabetic pantry look like? We asked dietician Cheryl Meyer to give us a shopping list! The basic diabetic pantry From our…
Ajita Ratanjee is a registered dietician on the Sweet Life Panel of Experts. She shares some of her diabetes dietary tips with us today. Blood…